Wichita eagle., 1887-04-09

bered with Observation-Disclosures
In no way Connected with the Sub.
ject's Individuality-Lines and Waves.
That which could be remembered with
distinctness may be said to have occurred
during three periods: tal OF entrance, (b) of
inconsistencies, and (c) Of recovery.
First-The period of entrance, which was
brief and without excitement as was after
ward learned. As the efforts to breathe
deeply were continued, the last sentence
which could be voluntarily uttered was a
rational question in regard to a sheet, which
ali attendant was directed to spread over
me- Then the spreading Of the sheet, the
touch OF the napkin to the face, and the
GOODNESS Of the ether were distinctly felt,
bat an effort made Immediately to speak a
rational sen tence failed from refusal of the
vocal organs TO respond to The idea l was
conscious that 1 failed from this cause
What this idea was which could not be
spoken could not, unfortunately be recalled
after recovery; though at the tiiae when the
idea was formed there was a distinct iugd-
ment il favor Of its nationality, and re-
Election On tho failure of tho vocal mechan-
ism.
Swiftly running auras or waves seemed
TO follow one another rapidly from within
outward over the limbs, and the Ego
was gone.
Second-The period of Inconsistencies.
or the wave period. There was present
during ;his time, and only during this
time, the single impression Of two endless
parallel lines in swift longitudinal motion,
each lire being DETECTED at a certain point
to form q wave. There was Il uniform misty
background and only a short section Of
the lines appeared, their total length being
unsuggoSted. They seemed to be made up
Of points, closely set, 50 that their longitu-
dinal movement was apparent The lower
limo moved from left TO right, but the di-
rection OF movement of the upper could not
be recalled.
The lower line was caught up 10 the level
of the upper SO as to form Il wave. At
corresponding point q descending wave was
formed on the upper line, so that the two
lines intersected. These waves maintained
their one position, tho idea Of motion being
conveyed By the points which made up the
lines, these seeming to run over the eleva-
tons at n hurried rate, but with perfect
regularity.
There was q constant sound or whirr
not loud, but distinct, as of small wheels
=
This sound ike impression seemed to be
connected with the running lines. and
ceased as they disappeared Ut may be
remarked in passing that the only objective |
constant sound in the room was made by an |
argand Gasburner. Tho objective sound |
did not resemble this, and, moreover, sud !
denly disappeared.)
These phenomena occupied the whole field. |
no Il
any way connected with human affairs. no
ideas or impressions akin to anything in
past experience, 10 emotions, of course, no
idea Of personality. There was no concep-
ton as TO what being it was that was re-
gardinS the two lines, or that there existed
any such thing as n being; the lines and
waves were al.
After an indefinite time, without vari a.
tion Of the above phenomena, the line in the
ascending Fart of the lower wave grew IN
steady, secondary waves being moment
arily established on the main curve Once
or twice the whole lover wave fell with an
instantaneous motion. but it was at once re-
stored
Tbird.--Pcrioa OF recovery. just at this
Juncture ] was conscious Of taking a deep
inspiration, followed by n respiratory pulse,
the succeeding inspiration being accom-
panied b. slight sound produced by air
passing q lax, soft palate when the mouth is
open.
With this first conscious inspiration came
instantly the first idea or thought OF any
considerable scope namely, that such a
respiration during the ethcrization would
indicate deep narcosis, near death. There
was no fear of death or other emotion,
rather feeling Of interest and curiosity as TO
whether L had been near the edge Of life
while more deeply under the GnIsthetic
The waves were now lost worry rapidly, but
not quite instantaneously, in spite OF a
strong and determined effort to retain q
view of them. | was still unable to speak
Or move.
Somewhere in this period, probably after
the long inspiration, and certainly before
the waves disappeared and consciousness
fully returned, came a number of curious
ideas and impressions, many of which are
wholly beyond recall, even tho order of
those remembered being unknown, except
as indicated above. All that can be hon
estly done is TO mention them one after
another, with no attempt at sequences.
i was most profoundly impressed TINT 1
had been given glimpse at the simplest
expression or essential nature of human ex-
iStence. 1t seemed perfectly clear that those
lines represented, or rather were my exist
once Il. G., as a souD, and that the waves
were my human or animal lie constituted q
temporary modification Of primary con-
dition. The waves We're exceedingly deli
cate, and the slightest disturbing force could
apparently cause them to disappear and
leave only two lines. This idea was
strengthened by the pickering of the wave
above mentionedl
The idea obtained that there was totally
new conception 10 me and to mankind and
that l must remember all that occurred
and recount it on completely returning TO
consciousness There was undoubtedly a
definite order in which the various phases of
consciousness returned and determined to
grasp and remember the new impressions as
they came one by one before me- AT first
there was no doubt that this could readily
be done, all seemed SO clear but as be-
came more and more able to understand the
surroundings in the room 1 was less and
less abs TO remember that which l so
strongly wished and strove to retain There
was now a knowledge that there was an in
fluence or power, absolute in authority,
felt but not seen, entirely impersonal, sepa-
rate from mo and from humanity. Those |
seemed rs evident at that time as does now
the existence of material objects around. |
The mind made no question of it while the |
effect of the other was present. In the |
hands of this power memory stood helpless, |
controlled by its mighty influence. Firmly, |
inexorably was my determination swept |
aside, and l WIGS prevented. in spite of the |
strongest effort and tie most burning de- |
sire, from returning 10 full consciousness
with distinct knowledge OF things which /